As the room was a small one, Peggy and a few of the others had already gone out of doors.
Except the Camp Fire guardian, really no one paid much attention to the conversation between Bettina and their Indian host save Gerry Williams. Ralph Marshall looked at them a little curiously, but was too well bred to overhear what was being said.
But Gerry saw that Mrs. Burton was pleased, both with Bettina’s speech and manner and suffered an uncomfortable pang of jealousy. She had no idea of being able to rival Peggy Webster in her aunt’s affections, but she did not intend that any one else should supplant her as the next favorite.
Gerry really felt a great admiration and affection, a girl’s hero worship—which is more frequent than most people realize—for the great actress who had made so much of her life with no help save her own ability. But, more than this, Gerry felt that it would be extremely useful to her if she could have Mrs. Burton’s friendship and, more than that, her assistance. For Gerry had her own way to make and did not see how she could make it in the way she wished unaided.
More than this, she disliked Bettina, and a sudden spirit of mischief possessed her.
As soon as Bettina walked away, Tewa joined Mrs. Burton and together they left the room, the others following. But Gerry, seeing that Bettina had not turned, remained behind till the last.
Then, just as soon as she saw that Bettina had become aware the others were leaving her, Gerry slipped out, quickly fastening the big wooden door behind her. It fastened with a crude wooden latch.
It did not occur to Gerry that Bettina would not soon follow them. Some one in the Indian house would be sure to open the door as soon as she called out.
Once in the narrow street where the crowds were now gathering in greater number, Gerry really repented her foolish, indeed her malicious, childishness. She thought of returning herself to open the door, but she had been careful to hide from Bettina’s gaze and, even if Bettina saw what she had done, Gerry was of course prepared to insist she had not dreamed the room was not empty.
In the street Tewa said good-by to the Sunrise Camp Fire party at once, and they started immediately toward the great Snake Kiva.